Reasoning from the Scriptures

Foolish, Faithless, Heartless, Ruthless

Episode 339: Behold, an apt description of America written in the first century (see Romans 1.31, ESV). Granted, Paul was not writing to describe American culture. Paul was writing to describe the then-present state of Roman society. Nevertheless, those four words accurately and succinctly characterize modern America.

The first word, “foolish,” can also be translated stupid. American culture is obsessed with the stupid. We even buy shirts with the phrase “I’m with stupid” plastered across the front. Turn on your television and watch the latest episode of anything on MTV and you will find stupidity rather quickly. Far too often stupidity is linked with ungodliness. So it is no wonder a secondary definition of this word is just that: ungodly. Yes, where folly is sin is crouching at the door.

“Faithless” means untrustworthy when it comes to keeping covenant (cf. ASV, KJV). Many so-called Christians live their lives as though there is no God with whom they have entered into covenant by the blood of His Son. In a broader sense America is witnessing the rise of the “nons” – those who do not identify with any religious group. America is growing more and more faithless.

Many Americans are “heartless.” Literally it is without familial affection. There is no love for the family. Indeed, this is the attribute which will cause a mother to abort her unborn baby, a father to abandon his family, children to talk back to and hate their parents, and government to pass legislation which is detrimental to the traditional family unit, viz. homosexual marriage.

“Ruthless” is the word which means lack of mercy. What comes to mind immediately is the political realm. Jay Leno once said that “politics” is a compound word from “poly” meaning many and “tics” which are bloodsuckers. The political game is a merciless one. But this is an apt description of what happens on the playground when parents raise children who will merciless bully other kids.